Quick Facts

NPS Description

201 South University Street, U. S. Post Office, 1920. 

Contributing 

Description

Federal style former U. S. Post Office building at the corner of East Michigan Street and South University Street. The building is primarily one story, but has a two-story center section. The building is constructed of red brick in Flemish bond with a stone watertable and stone accents over the windows. Above the wood and copper-trimmed cornice line is a brick parapet wall with balustraded inserts over the windows and entries. On the west (primary) elevation, there is a centered entry portico with a front gabled roof supported on four Doric columns. The portico and decorative wall surround are constructed of wood painted white. The original door has been replaced with an aluminum double entry door. The north and south elevations each have one decorative window bay featuring a Palladian window, wood pilasters, and wood trim, all painted white. The windows are otherwise nine over six double-hung units. There is a one story brick shed-roofed addition on the east (rear) side. 

History 

Although construction of a new post office was approved in 1913, World War I delayed the start of the building until 1919. It opened in 1920 and served as the post office until 1962. During that period, the building also housed other government agencies, like the Isabella County Agricultural Agent and Conservation Association and the Army Recruiting Office during World War II. Following the relocation of the post office to East Illinois Street, the Mt. Pleasant Public Schools had their administrative offices here until the late 1990s. It is now private offices. 

Integrity Analysis 

The building appears little changed from its original appearance. 

Sources 

Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps (Mt. Pleasant: 1884, 1890, 1895, 1900, 1910, 1924, 1931, 1950); Mt. Pleasant City Directories, 1925-1998; Past and Present of Isabella County, 1911; City of Mt. Pleasant Building Permits; historic photographs.